"Illegal sites like The Pirate Bay make it harder for new bands to get signed and for innovative digital music services to flourish," said BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor.

"The human rights implications of blocking this illegal site have been fully considered by the High Court. Whatever their views, Pirate Party UK are no more above the law than anyone else."

Today the BPI said that it has taken the next step in its campaign. "The Pirate Party have responded to our request to remove their proxy. Despite our efforts to resolve the matter amicably, it is clear that the Pirate Party are determined to continue providing access to the illegal Pirate Bay site," said a spokesperson.

"Our solicitors will now be formally writing to the members of the Pirate Party's National Executive Committee."

We have received a letter from the BPI telling us that we'll be hearing from their solicitors regarding our TPB proxy. ow.ly/fX9ih

Loz Kaye, the leader of the UK Pirate Party told us about the letter this morning and confirmed that the party has received it.

The Party is hoping to raise funds to help it see off the challenge, and is asking anyone with spare cash to help it keep the proxy open and support the openness of the internet.

"If we face a legal challenge, and it seems likely that we will, we will need money," it says in a rallying cry on its website.

"We will need to assemble a legal team that is capable of putting together a case that will not only keep the proxy in place, but also settle the issues surrounding the arbitrary censorship of the web.... We are not the first to face such a challenge, but if it comes to a fight, we want to make sure we are the last. Please give what you can and we will give everything we have." µ